On the heels of its successful Indiegogo campaign, Viltrox is announcing that its ultrathin, ultralight AF 28mm f/4.5 FE Lens for Sony E mirrorless cameras is now available for purchase at B&H. Nicknamed “Chip,” the full-frame, fixed-aperture pancake prime will be of particular interest to street photographers with its wide field of view and discrete, lightweight profile. The lens also sports Viltrox’s latest voice-coil motor autofocus system, making it attractive for snapshot, travel, landscape, and architecture applications.
Sony shooters have long clamored for a true pancake lens with autofocus for full-frame sensors, and Viltrox delivers with a unit that’s not much bigger than a lens cap. At 0.6” thick and weighing 2.1 oz, the form factor of the “Chip” is even more remarkable considering the image quality it delivers, leveraging two extra-low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements for edge-to-edge sharpness while minimizing distortions. The fixed f/4.5 aperture is large enough to still deliver bokeh, especially when shooting at the minimum close focusing distance of 12.6”. The lens’ front element also produces unique starburst effects from point-source lights
In addition to its fixed aperture and focal length, the lens also only supports autofocus, with no manual focus capability. Its VCM-driven system is Viltrox’s latest, affording the lens’ small size while delivering quick and accurate results. The lens also supports the eye detection algorithms in Sony mirrorless cameras.
While resembling a lens cap in build size and shape, the “Chip” forgoes a separate front lens cover, opting instead for a slide lever mechanism to protect the front element. The front element also features an HD Nano multi-layer coating and water, oil, and dust-resistant coatings to further protect the glass from the elements. A USB-C port on the lens’s rear face allows users to update the lens’s firmware.
For more information about the lens, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page for the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 FE lens. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
